Tuesday, June 30th through Thursday, July 2nd

 On Tuesday the 30th, we went to "BUTOKUDEN," where everyone had a chance to learn and practice Kendo with the wooden sword and the traditional bamboo sword (SHINAI). Through this practice, everyone learned the Japanese Politeness and how to sit down and stand up.

On Wednesday, July 1st, we met near the Silver Pavilion and walked along Philosopher's Path (Tetsugaku no Michi) to reach Nyakuoji Shrine, which is managed by Shingo's acquaintance.

On Thursday the 2nd, we went to the local Kyoto traditional dyeing workshop (Kyo-yuzen), where everyone made his or her own drawstring bag.

Wednesday, 24th through Monday 29th

 On Wednesday the 24th, we went to the Sushi Center (Hisago Sushi) near the Central Market for vegetables and fish to learn how to make sushi (Nigiri and Temaki), and ate what we made ourselves.   Some created beautiful sushi. 

On Thursday the 25th, we visited the local Ikebana Master's Kyoto Machiya Style house, where we learned how to arrange IKEBANA.   We made 4 groups of 3 and arranged flowers along with what we learned from the master.

On Friday the 26th, though it was raining because of a typhoon approaching, we visited Sanjusangendo, where 1001 statues of Buddha of Mercy were standing.

On Saturday, we visited Osaka Castle and Houkoku Shrine by Keihan Railway.

On Sunday, we had a chance to enjoy Lake Biwa Boat Cruizing with a nice breeze.

On Monday, the 29th, we went to the Arashiyama area where we walked through the Bamboo Forest.

Friday, the 19th through Tuesday, the 23rd.

 On Friday, we visited the Kyoto City Zoo, where we could see Genki (Gorilla mom) walking around holding Santaro (Baby Gorilla).  Flamingo, Giraffe, Zebra, Hippo, Red Panda, Penguin, Elephant, etc. are all having fun. 

From the zoo, we visited the Lake Biwa Water Canal museum, where we could learn how people in the past brought water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto city.  An incline railway running from the Keage Boat Reservoir (upstream) to the Nanzenji Boat Reservoir (downstream). With a total length of 582 meters, the Keage Incline was the longest incline railway in the world at the time it was built.

We could not do any specific activities because of the heavy rain and wind, but it was good for us to rest a bit.

On Sunday, some went to Kobe haborland, and the Kobe Chinatown (Nankin machi).

Monday, the 22nd, was the day for the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji-temple).  After visiting Kinkakuji, we walked to Ritsumeikan University, where Shingo graduated about 40 years ago.    It was a good place for us to eat an inexpensive, nice lunch before school.

On Tuesday, the 23rd, we walked from the Kyoto city museum to Eikando Zenrin-ji temple via Nanzen-ji temple.   At Eikando, after enjoying the inside of the temple building, we could go up the pagoda to the top, from which we could have a very nice view of Kyoto city from the east end.

Okazaki Shrine was our final stop before heading to the school today. 

First few days in the Summer Program 2026

On Monday, the first day, the school prepared the welcome lunch for us.  Our students and existing students here got together and introduced with each other to become friends.   Some Japanese native students want to learn English conversation, so our students can make Japanese friends easily.

On Tuesday, students had an experience of preparing Japanese tea with the tea master at the samurai-style tea ceremony before the class.

On Wednesday, we visited Heian Jingu Shrine and the Kyoto Handicraft Center before the class began. Everyone has already bought some kinds of souvenirs!

On Thursday, we visited one of the most famous traditional Kyoto Sweets shops, where we had hands-on experience of making Japanese sweets and tasted them with Matcha.

First 4 days are so far greater than expected!

On-site Orientation with the Nijo Castle

 In the morning, everyone got together where we arrived yesterday and walked to school to make sure everyone knew how to get there.

After confirming the location of the school, we went to Nijo Castle garden as a first excursion.

Our daily activity begins in the morning after gathering at Okazaki Park area, so we went to Okazaki Park area, where we saw the MoMAK, City Art Museum, Kyoto Prefectural Library, and Kyoto City Zoo.

From Keage station, the city subway took us to the City Hall area, where we explored the shopping streets.

Good weather!

2026 SUMMER STUDY ABROAD began!

 COD Summer Study Abroad Japan 2026 has begun.  

We had overcome the difficulty of a very tight connection in Haneda Airport.

We arrived in the central area of Kyoto at 10pm last night to meet with host families.

Everyone is exhausted but is ready for the academic and cultural adventure over the next three weeks.

Commencement was held successfully and (NOT) ready to go home

 The 2024 Summer Study Abroad Program has been successfully concluded though everyone has to go home safely tomorrow.

Since our flight is quite early from Osaka Itami Airport to Haneda, everyone has to get up before 5 am so that we can catch the 6:20 am bus to Osaka from Kyoto.

Probably everyone's luggage has doubled with full souvenirs for everyone including themselves.

COD Study Abroad Program will be transformed soon so this is the final year for the program we have been doing for over 20 years.

Future programs must require at least one year of Japanese language learning before participation in the newly transformed program.

Spring trip will be coming as usual in the beginning of April 2025 and already 3 people registered.

Socializing with Students of Kyoto Sangyo University and Kamigamo Jinja Shrine

Shingo's high school classmate, Dr. Kazuhiko Namba, who is a professor at Kyoto Sangyo University offered a Campus tour of his university guided by his students.

Our students went to Kyoto Sangyo University in the afternoon to meet with a few students there had a Campus tour and took some group pictures.

Then the college shuttle bus took us to Kamigamo Jinja Shrine which used to be Shingo's playground during his elementary school time.

The afternoon excursion of the program concluded today and we will have a commencement tomorrow and be ready to return to the USA on Friday. 

Another great program is now coming to an end.

Our Final Mountain Walking of this program was to visit Monkey Park

 The final week of the program begins with visiting the Monkey Park in Arashiyama.

Though the temperature was over 90 F (100F in heat index) we successfully visited the Monkey Park in Arashiyamma to see many monkeys.

Some were feeding Monkeys from the inside of the Building as if they were in a cage.

The view from the mountaintop was probably the most magnificent on this trip.

A few more days to conclude the program.  Everyone tries to maximize their experience.

TANABATA Festival & Nijo Castle

 July Seventh is the famous Tanabata Festival (Milky Way Festival).  Every student had a chance to write their own wish and tie the Bamboo branch to decorate the school gate.

After school, we visited the Nijo Castle to experience the Nightingale Floor (Squeeking Floor) in the main building before exploring its gorgeous garden.

The program is now approaching the final week.

Okazaki-jinja Shrine and Kyoto City Zoo

 Rain was expected but before getting caught in the rain, we managed to visit Okazaki-jinja Shrine.

Okazaki Shrine became famous recently for finding good prospects and/or giving easy birth, etc.

We walked from Okazaki Shrine to the Kyoto City Zoo to meet many animals closer to viewers.

Students have a special Kyoto Pass for free admission and I have a yearly pass.

Another beautiful day has passed.

Kurama Temple in Mt. Kurama

 Today was the only clear day this week so far and so we went up to Kurama without fail.

Stairs and uphills challenged us but we all made it to the temple. Eiden rain took us from Demachiyanagi station to Kurama.

Kurama is famous for Kurama Tengu so some bought the Tengu mask and others got some charms and amulets.

I hope a nice day like today continues!

Osaka Castle and Hokoku Shrine

 From Demachiyanagi Station, Keihan Train took us to Kyobashi where we could begin approaching Osaka Castle through several Panasonic Buildings.

We managed to be admitted into the main tower and were able to go up to the top.

On the way back we stopped by at Hokoku Shrine where Hideyoshi was enshrined.

It was raining a little but lucky to have a chance to visit there.

Calligraphy at Daikakuji Temple

 We walked to Daikakuji Temple from Randen Arashiyama Station in the slight rain. 

In the Daikakuji Temple, we had a chance to perform "Shakyo" (Buddhist scripture calligraphy writing).

Everyone tried the official way of SHAKYO and prayed some wishes before leaving the temple.

From the Daikakuji Temple, everyone took their designated city bus to return to the city center.

It was quite an accomplishment.

Eikando in the rain

 It was raining heavily in the morning but somehow got light rain and it was actually good for Eikando to visit in the afternoon.

Eikando is famous for its autumn color but summer rain also makes it unique.  Everyone enjoyed the rather complicated structure of the main hall and felt the sounds of rain in tranquility. 

From Eikando, we walked through Nanzenji temple, the International Community House, and the front of Shingo's condo to get to the main bus stop at the Heian Jingu Shrine.

Rained but not as bad.

Fushimi Grand Shrine and Tofukuji

The weather forecast says it will rain heavily tomorrow, so we decided to visit Fushimi Grand Shrine today to climb up to Mt. Inari.

We went up to the top through thousands of Torii gates, beyond the mountain, and down to the other side to visit Tofukuji temple.

Some did not make it but many made it for their unique memory.

Giant Buddha welcomed us in Nara

 The schedule was tight so we left for Kyoto station from Kitaoji Shopping Mall without a lunch break.

We luckily managed to catch the direct express from Kintetsu Kyoto to Nara.  We walked from Kintetsu Nara station to Daibutsuden of Todaiji while feeding deer.

In the Giant Buddha Hall, some students tried to go through the Buddha's Nose Hall and blessed for their future.

We proceeded to the top of the February Hall where we could see the city of Nara then walked along Mt. Wakakusa and reached Kasuga Grand Shrine.  

From Kasuga Grand Shrine, we walked along Sarusawa Pond and Higashimuki Shopping Street to Kintetsu Nara Station.

By the time we got to Kyoto Station, time went by and dismissed at Kyoto Station at 6:30pm

The Phoenix Pavilion

 After lunch at the usual shopping mall, we went to the Demachiyanagi station of the Keihan train line.

We were lucky to get on the limited express in the timly manner and reached Uji after transfering at Chushojima Station.

We could see the beautiful Amida Hall (Phoenix Pavilion) and refelction of it on the pond.  Some lotus are about to bloom and the whole scene is just like the design on the ten yen coin.

Lots of them enjoyed Matcha green tea soft serve as Uji was famous for its tea.

Another beautiful expereince without rain!

Weekend Lake Biwa Chikubu Island Trip

 This year's Weekend Group trip was to visit Chikubu Island on Lake Biwa.  This island is located far north of the lake near Nagahama Castle.

The 35-min boat ride took us to the island and we had a chance to visit Houganji temple.

From the top of Nagahama Castle, we can see the huge lake and Nagahama City.

After coming back to Kyoto, it was heavily raining but our trip itself was blessed by the nice weather.

Heian Jingu Shrine & Kyoto Handicraft Center

 It was raining rather heavily in the morning but by the time we began the afternoon excursion, the weather had recovered, and there was a nice blue sky at Heian Jingu Shrine which has the largest garden in Kyoto city.

Some visited the Kyoto Handicraft Center after strolling around the Heian Jingu Shrine and some were heading to the center of Kyoto city.

The weekend trip to Chikubu Island in the Lake Biwa is tomorrow.